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EPHRATA MONUMENT. 

Designed to be erected over the remains of Two Hundred American Soldiers who 
.ed during the winter of '77-78, at Ephrata, Lancaster County, Penna. from the effects 
f wounds received at the Battle of Brandy wine, Sept. 11, 17/7. 



« A monument that consecrates the name of a single martyr in the cause of Freedom, 
. holy in the sight of God, and stands evermore as a memory sacred to the Past, and a 
loPE full of promise for the Future.'' 



Thu-re are few persons in the State of Pennsylvania j 
familiar with the truth, that the village of Ephrata, m 
Lancaster county, was convei ted during the war of the 
llcvolution, into the theatre of one of the inost impor- 
tant and interesting events which took place in that 
period.— Peopled by a plain and nnassiiming dencmi- 
nation of christians, who had chosen it as a suitable 
place for religious retirement, who assembled in the 
vicinity of its green hills and peaceful valleys for the 
exercise of their pious devotions, and whose object 
was more the enjoyment of their christian privileges 
than the establishment of a name for the admiration o 
posterity ; but little has been preserved frcm the 
•wreck of time to point out the important services they 
had rendered to religion ar.d their countiy. 

Tiie traveller now visits that village and finds nothing 
but the relics of its foimer greatness. The houses de- 
voted to the purpose of religious service,crumbling into 
ruin— every vestige of the place, as originally estab- 
^ lished, fading away from the world forever. At the 
ime this village was first settled, the surrounding 
coHOtry, comparatively speaking, was a wilderness: 
'.he wild fox of the mountain had made his den on its 
very borders, and the gloom of the adjacent forests 
was only cheered by the smoke of the wigwam and the 
occasional gleam of the Indian's council fire. 

The principles of religion introduced into this settle- 
ment, though somewhat peculiar, were strictly ortho- 



dox. They diflered frcm other similar afscciatij/is 
only in the observance of the Sabbath, and theii s*i- 
'iments upon the subject of matrimony.— This they M 
not condemn, although they treated it with more ceI,- 
tion than is usual with other denominations. Thdr 
houses were thrown open as an asylum for such asi- 
nounced it, and they gave them in exchange for thet 
services, food and protection; About the timeof ih- 
commencement of the Eevolutionary war, a lai;\ 
number had congregated into this village and had ti 
pousedthe sentiments originally introduced. A regulaj 
system of church government had been formed ani 
was then in operation, under the supervision of pio\ s 
and well qualified superintendanfs. 

During the progress of the Eevolutionary war, this 
Society exhibited a desire to aid in the advancement ot 
the American cause. The principal conductor of the 
institution, Peter Miller, whose social virtues and in- 
tellectual qualifications are only reriiembered to be ad- 
mired, had early formed an acquaintance with Gxa. 
Washington, and was in the habit of corresponding 
with him upon subjects connected with the war very 
frequently. ]^y the aid of an excellent paper manu- 
factory, which was constructed at the expense of the 
Society, he was enabled to furnish him at times with 
paper, suitable for cartridges; and continued this prac- 
tice, wherever convenient, until the close of the war. 
After the teiminalion of the Battle of Brandywiiie, 



2 



.EL>EL3 



which was fought on the 11th of September, 1777, I 
about five hundred soldiers wounded at that battle , 
were sent to Ephrata by the direction of the officers of | 
the army, to be entertained by this hospitable and phi- , 
lanthropic association. Many of them had been se- | 
verely wounded, and a portion of them suffering with | 
the camp fever. Two of their large establishments, 
which hadbeeu previously used for the accommodation 
of their members, were vacated for the reception of 
these soldiers. The two buildings contained about five 
hundred rooms, and each soldier had his sepaiate 
apartment, which rendered the situation of those un- 
fortunate men as comfortable as possible. Physicians 
and surgeons were placed over them, and every means ; 
employed for the purpose of affording relief. Under | 
the care of those skilful men, about three hundred of 
the soldiers recovered during the winter, but the resi- 
due died and weie buried in the vicinity of the village. 

The following affidavit, which was obtained from 
. . . . I 

Peter Martin, senior, previous to his death, is corrol> i 

oration of the truth of what has been observed. It is 
as follows : 

'• In 1777, I resided in the village of Ephrata. In , 
the fall of that year a large number of soldiers, some ! 
of them wounded and others suffering with the camp ' 
fever, were brought to Ephrata and placed in the two 
large buildings on Mt. Zion. Sev^eral surgeons and 
physicians were appointed to take charge ot them, of 
whom Dr. Yerkel was the principal in the commence- 
ment. He was succeeded by Dr. Scott. I saw Dr. | 
Scott amputate the leg of a soldier in the presence of ; 
many people, of whom I now recollect but one; and | 
that individual was a certain Dr. Sensenig, who had ! 
been appointed to saw the bone, but upon showing great 
reluctance to do so, the operation was performed by i 
Dr. Scott, who, after executing the business, addressed i 
the spectators as follows: "was there a change in j 
my countenance perceptible?" The answer was "no." 
The successor of Dr. Scott as principal, was Dr. Har- 
rison, an excellent physician and a kind hearted, be- 
nevolent man, who attended to the soldiers and provi- 
ded for their wants with unremitted exertions. But his 
usefulness was cut short by the interposition of Divine 
Providence. He was seized with the camp fever, re- 
moved to the house of Mr. Angus, the father of Jacob 
Angus, a surviving soldier of the Revolution, who 
still resides in the same house ; where he died in a 
short time. The disease was contagious; and his 
benefactor, Mr. Angus, was taken sick with it and 
died in a few days. I became acquainted with many 
of the soldiers, whose names I do not recollect. One 
of them, a Yankee, I have a distinct recollection of : he 
taught me to speak the English language. To the 
best of my knowledge they were brought to Ephrata 
in the autumn of the year 1777, and the survivors re- 
moved in the spring of the year 1778, at the time the 
British were in the possession of Philadelphia. The 
exact number I cannot remember, but am convinced 
that there were some hundreds. Those of them who 
died are buried on Mt. Zion, on the banks of the Co- 
calico creek. The first of them who died here were 
buried with the honors of war; a funeral sermon 
preached by one of their number selected for that pur- 
pose. This practice was continued for some time, 



until they began to drop off so rapidly that it was 
found necessary to dispense with all such ceremonies. 
The soldiers were principally Pennsylvanians, a few 
Yankees, and several British who had deserted, andl 
who fought under the American flag at the battle of 
Brandywine." 

In connexion with the foregoing affidavit, Benjamin 
Konigmacher, Esq., an old and respectable citizen of 
Ephtata, testifies " That he distinctly recollects that- 
immediately after the Battle of Brandywine a greafcj 
many of the wounded soldiers of the American army,» 
vi'ho had been engaged in that conflict, were sent to 
Ephrata, wheie they were entertained in the two 
buildings Kader and Zion, which were thrown open a»i 
hospitals for their reception: that a great many of i 
them died and were buried on Mt. Zion in an open 
field ; (the space of ground in which they are interred 
is about one hundred feet square, that Dr. Scott was 
the Principal of the Hospital, and lived in the Broth- 
er's house durlnr the winter that the soldiers were 
there. He further testifies that the graves of the sol- 
diers, although surrounded with thorns and biauible 
bushes, have remained untouched by the ploughshare 
to this day. While the soldiers were in the hospital, 
milk and provisions for their use were frequently ob- 
tained at his house." 

Many years ago, large planlis or oak boards had 
been raised alongside of the graves, which bore the 
inscription of the names of several officers of the 
American army, who were among the number of the 
wounded and whose bones repose in the same ground. 
Corroborative of this fact we give below the affidavit 
of James Smith, who has been a citizen of Ephrata for 
about fifty years. He says — " That he saw more 
than forty years ago, a great number of graves in 
which the soldiers who died at Ephrata in the Hospi;al 
were buried : that the ground is the property of the 
Society of the Seventh Day Baptists, is about one 
hundred feet above the level, and has always been re- 
cognized by the name of Mount Zion : that he dis- 
tinctly recollects of a large number of planks which 
were placed at the side of the burial ground, which 
bore the inscription of the names of the officers who 
are buried there. One of the planks contained the in- 
scription, in the German language, of 

" Hier richeti die Geheine von vielen Soldaten.'^ 
These planks having decayed were lemoved several 
years ago, and a plain board fence, without the in- 
scriptions, erected in their place. " The burial 
o-round," he further testifies, " still remains in its ori- 
ginal slate. The graves are still visible, though 
covered by thorns and brambles." 

Col. Richard R. Heitler, of Ephrata, who took the 
affidavits given in this communication, presents the fol- 
lowiag certificate : 

" I hereby certify that the foregoing affidavits were 
taken by me, at two different times, of the three gentle, 
menwhose names arc givento them: that the gentlemen 
are all men of high character and respectabilily, and 
every way worthy of belief. I further certify, that I 
know of my own personal knowledge, the principal 
part of the facts set forth in the affidavit of Jas. Smith." 
RICHARD R. HEITLER. 

January 10, 1845. 



The Committee of Correspondencp of the Ephrata 
Monument Society, received a few weeks since a 
communication from Miss H. Scott, daughter of Dr. 
Scott, the principal of the hospital, wIjo now resides in 
New Brunswick, New Jersey ; who testifies to the 
truth of her father being employed as principal sur- 
geon in the hospital at Ephrata, immediately after the 
Battle of Brandywine. Her recollection of the facts 
is very imperfect, being very young at the time they 
transpired. She lemembers the circumstance of sol- 
diers being broujjht there and buried, but cannot testify 
to the exact number. 

Jacob Angu.s, a surviving soldier of the Revolution, 
who now resides in Ephrata, ha-s also a very indistinct 
recollection of the circumstaace. His memory is al- 
most entirely gone; and himself through affliction and 
old age on the very verge of eternity. Sufficient howev- 
er, we believe, has been adduced to convince the pub- 
lic that this interesting event, which has led to the for- 
mation of the JMonument Society, and which has stimu- 
lated them thus far in their patriotic labors, actually did 
occur. The design of erecting a monument to the 
memory of those brave men whose lives were sacri- 
ficed for the liberties of their country, arose out of the 
consideration that more than two hundred of them re- 
pose in this single burying ground, and patriotism 
would appear to demand of us that their memory 
should be rescued from obV.vion. Their graves are 
now a rude waste, covered over with thorns and briar 
bushes; and, although their ashe? have been thus far 
sacred from the desecrations of the plough-share or 
even the rude tread of the vulgar, yet we believe it 
to bo a. <luty incumbent upon US to treat with a strict 
regard to decency and respect, the soil which contains 
the bones of so many of our country's benefactors. A 
plain and simple monument to their memory, erected 
upon the ground where their ashes repose, would be 
no more than a just tribute of respect for the services 
they rendered to us in the hour of our peril. 

The Society of Seventh Day Baptists, at the time 
the soldiers were brought to Ephrata, took upon them- 
selves the whole burthen of theirmaintainance, and all 
the exp nses consequent upon their burial ; freely 
opened their doors to receive them; kindly proffered 
their substance for their support, and finally appropri- 
ated their ground for their last resting place, without 
accepting a single farthing as remuneration. Instances 
of this character, of pure and disinterested charity and 
patriotism, are but few in the whole history of our 
country. And when, we further consider, that those 
men themselves were poor — laboring under adverse 
circumstances — being in the very infancy of their ex- 
istence, with scarcely mote than enough to meet the 
expenses of their own burdensome associations, we 
must attach at least to their benevolence a spirit of self 



denial, such as must have had its origin in the purest 
motives, and could only have been prompted by the 
demands of their suflering country. — It could only 
have arisen from the reflection that " their cou.itry's 
necessities were greater than their own."' 

"We have been desirous of conducting this matter 
that the subject should be plainly and fairly brought be- 
fore the public — that no misrepresentation should be 
made to thwart our design; but that popular aid and 
popular support might be elicited by a represen- 
tation of the facts of the case ; and that all our fellow- 
countrymen, in every county, in every state, and in 
in every territory of this Government, should turn 
their sympathy and their influence in our behalf. Ihe 
spot of ground in which the soldiers are interred, 
is about one hundred feet above the level, and com- 
mands a fine and picturesque view of the surrounding 
country. A monument erected upon its summit could 
be seen at a distance of twelve miles in favorable 
weather. The ground is now about being cleared and 
the wall which is to enclose the graves, constructed. 
The monument is now in rapid progression, and al- 
though the Society are not now in posession of the 
funds necessary to complete it, it is to be hoped that 
the patriotic feelings of our fellow-citizens will not 
sufler the measure to rest without the necessary sup- 
port. 

A Military Encampment will be held on the ground 
at Ephrata, on the 11th of September next. General 
Adam Diller, of Philadelphia, has been appointed 
Commander-ln-cliief for that purpose ; and it is pre- 
sumed, that with the aid of such officers as he may 
call in, a happy and brilliant enlertainment may be ex- 
pected by the public. The foundation stone will be 
laid on that day, and many of the ablest speakers in 
the United Srates are expected to be present. 

I. Daniel Eupp, Esq., of the city of Lancaster, 
appointed by the Board, has made a visit to Philadel- 
phia, for the purpose of presenting the Subscription 
Book of the Society to such as may feel disposed to aid 
the project. It is to be hoped that his visit may be 
amply compensated. 

George W. M'Elroy, | 

.Joseph Konigmacher, > — Committee. 

Richard R. Heitler, ) 

By an Act of the Legislature, passed a few weeks 
since, the above Company was incorporated under the 
style and title of the " Ephrata Monument Associa- 
tion," of which the followino are the names of the of- 
ficers embraced in the act of incorporation: 

President — Joseph Konigmacher. 

Directors — Colonel Richard R. Heitler, Jeremiah 
Wohler, Wi.liam Spera, Col. John Bauman, Edwin 
Konigmacher. 

Ireasurer and Secretary— Jeremiah Bauman. 



The undersigned would respectfully call the atter- 
tion of the Officers of the Volunteers, the xVIilitia, and 
the Army, and the Military of the United States gene- 
rally, to the military publication entitled the 

Home Journal and Citizen Soldier, 
Published al No. S5, Dock st , Philadelphia. 

The idea of starting and maintaining a pa[ier hav- 
ing for its object the regeneration and the disenthral- 
ment of the military of the country, from the igno- 
rance and disgrace into which, in a measure, they had 
fallen, was one startling as it was novel. This publi- 
cation has, however, been liberally patronized for a 
period of more than two years, and the efficiency in 
both the organization and discipline of our Volunteers, 
as well as the more general difl'usion of military 
knDwledge, alike bear testimony to its utility. 

The publication is designed, more especially, for 
the use of the officers of the 

VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA, 
whose libraries necessarily contain lew military books, 
and who have not the facilities of obtaining them, a 
have the officers of tiie regular army. To them the- 
Journal and Soldier particidaily commends itself, 
as a means of obtaining the most correct information 
upon all branches of military science. 

The JOURNAL is a folio of twenty-eight column-!. 



published every Wednesday, and contains from lime 
to time, in addition to a suitable proportion of 

choice literary MATTER, 

military biography and hi.-5tory, ancient and modern 
campaigns, well written original articles on cavalry, 
artillery and infantry tactics, fortifl ations and military 
science in general. 

The publisher has made arrangements to be con- 
stantly in the receipt of all the foreign Military Mag- 
azines, as well as any new military works, as soon 
as published. 

At present, a series of Lecticres on Strategy are in 
course of publication in the paper, a subject ol para- 
mount Importance to every military man who expects j 
to become at all distinguished in his profession. Alsof | 
the regulations of the army. — A large extra editionj ' 
containing them, has been stricken oH", sothatnew sub^i 
scriber.i can be furnished v^ ith them. 



TEKMS OF SUBSORIPTIO-V. 

1 copy, - - §2 1 10 copies, - - - $15 ■ 
3 copies, - - 5 I 20 " ... -20 ■■ 

A.H. DILLER, Publisher,- 

85, Dock street, Philadelphia. 

Note. — Editors giving this advertisement an inscT- 
tion in their paper, will of course be entitled to an eX' 
change. 



In order that those wishing to become subscribers 
to our Journal, may form some idea ot the estimation 
in which we are held, by those whose business and 
whose duty it is to judge dispassionatel)'' of the merits 
of all claimants to public favor. We annex the opion- 
ions expressed by a few of the newspapers of the 
country, selected indiscriminately from a hat-full, 
without respect to party or sect. 

The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier. — The 
" Home Journal and Citizen Soldier," continues to be 
as excellent as ever in all its departments. The edi- 
tors labor strenulously to gather the choicest and the 
rarest things into their columns, and they succeed very 
well in their endeavors. This paper contains reading 
for the fireside, and material for i bought and exercise 
by the citizen soldier ; and both departments have that 
general interest, which will make what is in them ac- 
ceptable, whether it be to the soldier or the civilian. — 
Z7. S. Gazette. Ck ^ \ 

The Home JoAJs'.Hand C™^n|«>gor,DiEK. — The 
q\iantity and quaTity oT original matter it contains, is 
always a rich treat, and the tearless, independent and 
open course it has ever pursued in advocating the 
cause of the Citizen Soldier, claims for it a high stand- 
ing in the estiiiialion of every friend to the militia. — 
American Citizen, N. II. 

The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier. — We 
like the tone and spirit of this weekly much — it is 
ardenily devoted to the cause it advocates, and speaks 
out boldly and fearlessly, in behalf of a good and ef- 
ective militia sjstem of this country. — Sheet Anchor, 
Trenton, N. J. 



The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier.— From 
the specimen before us, in point of typographical ap- 
pearance, tlie spirited tone of the editorials, and th« 
lonor of the contributions and selections, this papfll- 
will undoubtedly prove a great utility and interestjfc 
the military of the United States. — Cincinnati Daily 
Hiiqnirer. 

The Home Journal and Citizen Solder. — Thj» 
.Journal we consider one among the best published Ui 
Philadelphia. Besides its literary excellencies. uiB| 
" Soldier " is au fait in whatever relates to militairfci 
.piatters. — Perry County Democrat. -i 

The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier is 
of the most useful papeiswe receive. — Deni. Ban 

The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier 
excellent and cheap Journal can boast of some of 
best writers in the country as contributors. Althoi 
devoted to the interest of the Citizen Soldier, it abo' 
with the most choice literary produclion.s — maki 
a most delightful family newspaper — and vre are coi 
fident that the reader would pronounce the artiel^; 
which appear in it in the short space of one monn 
worth twice that amount. — Dtin. Press, Yor/:, Pa^. 

The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier is de 
cidedly the best paper on our exchange list. Its col- 
umns are always tilled with articles, rich, racy am: 
entertaining. Whenever w^e open it, -we always ex 
pect something new, and are never dlsappointed.-r^ 
Argus, Easton, Pa. 

The Home Journal and Citizen Soldier 
only entitled to the liberal support of all who take 
terest in military matters, but possesses much liters 
attraction. — Pe7insylvaniati. 











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